Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to Test cricket after a year out of the format, having been named in India’s 16-member squad for their two-match series against New Zealand.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad on Friday, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also included despite a recent side strain. Pant’s participation, however, depends on fitness clearance.
The first Test begins in Wellington on November 19, with the second scheduled for Christchurch from November 27. Shubman Gill will captain India, with KL Rahul named vice-captain.
Bumrah has been selected for the Test series but left out of the preceding five-match one-day international series. The decision forms part of India’s workload management plans as they prepare for future international commitments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The fast bowler has been training individually in Ahmedabad and is expected to visit the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for fitness work ahead of the New Zealand tour.
Pant is recovering from a side strain sustained while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup. He was injured while attempting a sweep shot in the first innings and subsequently missed the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. He could return for the third match in Lincoln from November 7, although his fitness remains a key consideration.
Prasidh Krishna has also been named in the Test squad, while his availability for the ODI series is subject to fitness clearance after a left hamstring strain. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and strength work for the past two weeks.
Akash Deep returns to the Test side after strong performances in the Irani Cup and Ranji Trophy. Anshul Kamboj, who made his Test debut in Manchester in July 2025, is also included. They join Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh and Nitish Kumar Reddy among India’s pace options.
Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav form the spin group. Sai Sudharsan also returns after missing the Test series against Sri Lanka because of a toe injury. Manav Suthar, who took 16 wickets across four innings on the Sri Lanka tour, has not been selected.
India have also split the captaincy for the five-match ODI series, which starts on November 4. Gill will lead the side in the first three matches before Shreyas Iyer takes charge for the final two. Gill, Rahul and Kamboj are among those expected to leave the ODI squad after the third match to focus on Test preparations.
